How do I Choose the Best Nutrient Solution?

Hydroponic gardening is a type of container or indoor gardening that uses growing media other rather than soil; for instance, clay pebbles, gravel, moss or wool. There is no restriction on the type of plants you can grow with this method, but the plants do need to be kept supplied with the right nutrient mix to keep them in flourishing condition. The tricky part is in knowing which nutrient solution to use for your plants, given the very wide range available in the market.

If you are a novice gardener, it is a good idea to take the time to learn about the specific requirements of the plants you have. There is likely to be a ready-made nutrient solution formulated to meet these exact requirements. Using a ready-made mix is convenient and easy, and generally recommended if you don't know much about gardening yet. You will probably need to dilute the solution in water so that it can be readily absorbed by the plants. The pack is likely to include instructions about the appropriate feeding schedule to follow.

There is no such thing as the one perfect nutrient solution, however. Different solutions can be suitable for different growing stages and under different growing conditions. Instead of sticking to just one nutrient mix, you might try a variety of different ones and see how well your plants do. As you gain experience, you might even have a go at mixing your own nutrient solution to better control the way your plants grow.

It is important to maintain a certain degree of cleanliness in this type of gardening, otherwise there is a risk of getting algae and fungus build-up on the growing medium, not to mention attacks from harmful microbial organisms. These organisms, if they are not dealt with, can hamper a plant's oxygen intake and smother and kill its roots. The decomposing plant matter then tends to invite in still more pathogens.

To avoid this, it is a good idea to check and see if there are any nutrient solution problems. If the solution is cloudy, for instance, it may be contaminated and should not be used. As much as possible, try to use clean, filtered water for mixing your nutrient solution, and keep changing it on a regular basis. Using an oxygenating pump to air the growing media can also help. You can also try to achieve a microbial equilibrium by encouraging the growth of beneficial microbes and letting them tackle the harmful ones; you can find many nutrient mix products that contain these beneficial microbe species.